1
Martin Brodeur

The all-time win leader among goalies earned nothing better than derisive “MARTEE MARTEE MARTEE.” Some New York fans argue that the topper of all was the night that Sean Avery did his “Block” Marty’s vision playoff caper. The league even wrote a new “Avery Rule” because of the shenanigans.

Marty’s revenge was playing some of his best games against the Blueshirts, especially a four-game sweep in the 2006 playoffs.

2
Dave Brown

The quintessential Broad Street Bully, the big, burly bruiser spent half a career trying to intimidate the Blueshirts.

Long regarded as a Filthy McNasty by Rangers fans, Brown’s dirtiest episode took place on October 26, 1987. He cross-checked Tomas Sandstrom in the face and the miracle was that the Sweet Swede wasn’t mummified on the play.

3
Sidney Crosby

For starters, the citizens of Rangersville resent The Kid’s perceived whining. The Locals also despair over Sir Sidney’s chronic dominance over the New Yorkers.

Last Spring’s ousting of the Seventh Avenue Skaters by the Penguins’ Captain and his crew was just another reminder of why Crosby inspires nightmares among The Faithful.

4
Clark Gillies

While any Islanders player during the Nassaumen’s dynastic years (1980-84) would qualify for dislike, Gillies gets special mention for the physical destruction of such Rangers as Ed ‘Boxcar’ Hospodar, Ron Duguay and Steve Richmond.

During the 1981-82 season, Hospodar made the mistake of “chirping” at Gillies. At that point, Jethroe delivered one dozen punches too many and Hospodar was next seen on a bed in Polyclinic Hospital, barely recognizable.

5
Mario Lemieux

The iconic Penguin did little physical damage to the Blueshirts, although his monster physique could have torpedoed many a Ranger. Le Magnifique’s assaults were all produced by immense talent. Super Mario had a five-goal game against the New Yorkers in 1992.

During the 1992 playoffs, he helped upset the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Rangers. As far as Gotham fans were concerned, Adam Graves did not deserve punishment for fracturing a bone in Lemieux’s left hand in the 1992 playoffs. Graves received a four-game playoffs suspension and Big Apple critics believed that the penalty exceeded the intent.

6
Denis Potvin

In a sense, there were a truckful of reasons for Blueshirt Nation to diss Denis. Potvin’s captaining of four consecutiveCup winners — 19 straight playoff series victories — provided a good starting point. Of course, there was the finishing of Ulf Nilsson that became an eternal cause celebrate. And that directly led to the double-edged Potvin chant that survives until today, and likely forever.

Even more nettling is Denis’ own explanation of the chant. “What they’re really saying,” the Hall of Famer says, tongue well-ensconced in cheek, “is ‘POTVIN’S CUPS!'”

See what I mean.

7
Bob Probert

One of the most feared foes of any team, any era, and any position; Bob Probert, the Detroit Red Wings heavyweight champion, intimidated scores of opponents, but not a certain Ranger. That happened to be Tie Domi, pound-for-pound one of the best fighters in NHL annals.

Prior to the colossal Probert-Domi bout at The Garden on Dec. 2, 1982, it received the brand of build-up suitable for a title bout at Yankee Stadium; except that this one was at The Garden.

A day before the fight, the daily papers published a Tale Of The Tape while the bout itself remains historic. Although Probert rained down a tsunami of blows on the smaller Domi, Tie held his own and won plaudits for merely emerging alive.

8
Dave Schultz

No Rangers fan who was around then — and still around now — ever will forget what Schultz did to New York defenseman Dale Rolfe in the 1974 Flyers-Rangers playoff.

As a matter of fact, there are historians who believe that the destruction of Dale in the one-sided fight tilted the series in the Flyers favor. The date was May 5, 1974 and, unfortunately, no Blueshirt came to the aid of poor Rolfe.

9
Billy Smith

Billy Smith loved to go after any opponent with his big goalie stick — especially Wayne Gretzky — but nothing slaked his competitive appetite more than bouts with the Rangers — and they were numerable and incessant. Nor did he pick his spots, whether it was tough guys or the less belligerent ones, such as Hall of Famer Rod Gilbert.

Almost right off the bat in Battlin Bill’s career, he went after Gilbert on October 21, 1972. Smitty had no qualms about disturbing the Blueshirts with his mouth, including his version of the Gettysburg Address after the Islanders beat the Rangers in the 1984 playoffs. He did so en route to winning four Stanley Cups, as he’d win every series in which he’d face the Rangers.

RANGERS 4, CALGARY 3 It’s easy to take the Flames lightly. They come from a faraway place with some strange-sounding player names such as Jyrki Jokipakka. And, no matter how you shake it, Calgary does not have any Big-Apple pizazz. Yet this hockey team from Alberta commands respect. Coached by the relatively obscure Glen Gulutzan, […]